#MeetUsMonday - Meet Makayla. • UVA School of Nursing

RN to BSN student & ICU Nurse, Makayla Kirkpatrick. — Meet Makayla, an ICU nurse at Richmond's Chippenham Hospital, and a member of the RN to BSN class of 2025.

Meet Makayla.

Arizona native. Volunteer cheerleading coach. Dog-mom to Yorkie "Blizzard," and a first-generation college attendee who loves traveling to hot locales, live music, and scrapbooking. The first nurse in her family, an ICU nurse at Richmond's Chippenham Hospital, and a member of the RN to BSN class of 2025.

"I can honestly say that the [RN to BSN] program is designed to help us succeed. We build upon the information we learned in our associates degree in nursing programs, learn more about nursing management, research, and development. Being in this program, I can have a healthy work, life, and school balance while still continuing my education!"

Makayla Kirkpatrick, RN to BSN Student

WHY NURSING?

"When I was younger, my mom was in a really bad car accident and needed to have in-home caregivers for about two years. I always went to every hospital and doctor's visit with her. Observing different healthcare roles, and the care they provided to her, I decided that being a nurse ultimately was what I wanted to do. I love that you can impact someone's life and help people improve their health."

WHAT THE RN TO BSN PROGRAM'S BEEN LIKE

"UVA's been different, but in a good way. Coming to the program, I was very nervous about it because I thought it was going to be full of tests and assignments, but really, it's not. We learn more about different aspects of nursing. We build upon the information we learned in our associates degree in nursing programs, learn more about nursing management, research, and development. I can honestly say that the program is designed to help us succeed. Being in this program, I can have a healthy work, life, and school balance while still continuing my education!"

Rn to BSN student, Makayla Kirkpatrick, posing with dolphin on vacation. — Makayla posing with a dolphin on vacation.

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RN to BSN student posing with stack of nursing books — Makayla, the first nurse in her family, poses with a stack of nursing textbooks.

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RN to BSN student, Makayla Kirkpatrick's Yorkie named — Makayla's Yorkie, "Blizzard", on his second birthday.

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RN to BSN student, Makayla Kirkpatrick, with mother. — University of Virginia School of Nursing

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UVA SCHOOL OF NURSING IN A WORD?

"Supported. The professors here make you feel so supported and are truly willing to help you. Even though we only meet once a month, I'm excited to go to class, and while I'm in class, I know that Dr. Toll will encourage and support me. She makes us all feel so welcomed every time we meet!"

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Ready to jump-start YOUR nursing and get the support and independence you need along the way? Our RN to BSN program does just that. Sign up for an RN to BSN Zoom info session to take the first steps toward earning a BSN!

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RN to BSN